Trump’s Mar-a-Lago era: Palm Beach history, headlines, and legacy
Discover President Trump’s transformative legacy at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach through rare photos and behind-the-scenes stories in this collector’s edition book.
- Security has been increased along the route of President Trump’s motorcade to Mar-a-Lago.
- The Palm Beach Post and Palm Beach Daily News noted that his visit this year was quieter with fewer spectators on the route.
President Donald Trump made his final visit to Palm Beach of the season earlier this month, but things looked different this year.
Trump has visited Mar-a-Lago 27 times since returning to the White House for his second term. For Palm Beach residents, that means extended road closures and air restrictions.
His visit this year was packed with news, including the detention of then-Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the announcement of an attack on Iran. Not to mention, the airport and the main road in town are also named after him.
But locally, reporters at the Palm Beach Post and Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Network, have noticed some of his visits have been quieter in recent months. In his first term, the road to Mar-a-Lago was packed with spectators when he visited, but this year was different.
Meeting with President Trump in Palm Beach during his first term
Meeting with President Trump in Palm Beach during second term
Additional restrictions will appear in Mar-a-Lago convoy area
Security has been tight around Palm Beach’s Mar-a-Lago Club since before he entered the White House for his first term in 2017.
But since the beginning of this season, security measures have become increasingly stringent in response to what federal officials said were growing threats to Trump’s life and family. The situation is complicated by international tensions during the Iran war.
The most visible and disruptive change was the closure of South Ocean Boulevard near the club from March 3 to May 4, on orders from the U.S. Secret Service. This road runs along the waterfront of the island where Mar-a-Lago is located. The Secret Service said the road closures are part of “enhanced security measures” implemented by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the agency as the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran begin Feb. 28.
One popular stop for President Trump’s motorcade is the Southern Boulevard Bridge over Bingham Island, just east of Mar-a-Lago. Parking near the bridge used to be free, but will become paid parking in 2024.
Some supporters are still gathering outside the entrance to Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach. In February, a 76-year-old man holding a “Not My President” flag was arrested after clashes between supporters and demonstrators. This was not the only protest against Trump. On March 28, thousands of people protested the “No Kings” movement at eight locations in Palm Beach County.
President Trump named an airport and road after him this year
Southern Boulevard is now named in his honor, although the winter road to the White House may not have been filled with as many spectators as in previous years.
The four-mile stretch of road connecting Palm Beach International Airport and President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago mansion in Florida was renamed “President Donald J. Trump Boulevard” in January.
“When people see that beautiful sign lit up at night and it says Donald J. Trump Boulevard, they’re going to be filled with pride, not pride for me, just pride. Pride for our country, yes, pride for our state, because we’re stronger, richer and more successful. That’s what we have now,” Trump said during a billboard presentation in January.
Palm Beach International Airport, which President Trump typically uses, will soon be renamed Donald J. Trump International Airport under legislation signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and approved by Palm Beach County commissioners. The new logo promoted by the Trump Organization is entirely gold.
Democrats flip Palm Beach state House seat
Nationally, some wonder if Trump’s enthusiasm is waning after his low approval ratings and Democratic Party victories in local elections. In the Palm Beach area, a Republican candidate endorsed by President Trump lost to a Democrat in the state legislative district where Mar-a-Lago is located.
Mr. Trump voted by mail in the election to replace U.S. Rep. Mike Caruso, who became circuit court clerk and Palm Beach County auditor. The president endorsed Republican John Maples, who is running against Democrat Emily Gregory for the seat.
“To all the great patriots of Florida’s 87th Congressional District, go out and vote for John Maples!” President Trump said in a March 23 social media post.
However, Gregory won in a surprising upset. She is up for re-election in the fall.
“I believe that after November, we will no longer be a super minority,” she said, according to the Palm Beach Post. “I’m the 34th Democrat (in the 120-member House) and I think we can win six seats or more in November. At the same time, I like the chance of the governor’s mansion. I think there’s one Democrat in the governor’s mansion, and I think there’s 40 or 40 plus one, 40 or more in the state House. I’m not familiar with the state Senate seats. We could be in a very different place when the next legislative session takes place, and that would be very beneficial to all Floridians.”
Contributors: Mike Diamond, Christina Webb, Wayne Washington, Antonio Finns, John Bisognano, Tom Elia, Valentina Palm, Hannah Phillips, america today
Kinsey Crowley is a Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Please contact KCrowley@usatodayco.com. follow her X (Twitter), thread, blue sky and TikTok.
